The family of Johannes Wedel (John Waddle) and his wife Maria Magdalena, family name unknown, lived in Shenandoah and Augusta counties, Virginia, and in Sullivan and Grainger counties, Tennessee. No will or other document has been found that lists the members of the family. However, from various church, marriage, deed, tax, pension, DNA, and family records their sons appear to have been Daniel, David, Martin, John, Peter, Henry, Jacob and George and their daughters were Maria Magdalena, Regina, Barbara, Elisabeth and Anna Maria. These children may be only those who survived and for whom records have been found.

In 2009 Jane Whitis and Bobbi Everett were able to get a y-DNA test on a male descendent of Johannes Wedel’s son Peter as shown by WX-3 at The Waddell DNA Project site (http://tinyurl.com/7hdkxcn). Three descendants of a David Waddle have gotten DNA tests (Wx4, WX-6 andWX-53) that match the one from the descendent of Peter. Genealogical research, as presented under David Waddle Sr., has shown that this David Waddle was most likely a previously unidentified son of Johannes Wedel.

The first record found of the family is a German-script church record for the baptism of a son named Johann Henrich (Henry). This record, in the Register, 1769-1860, St. Paul's [Evangelical] Lutheran Church Strasburg, Shenandoah County (Misc. Reel 560, Library of Virginia, p. 14), shows "Johann Henrich son of Joh. and Mar. Magdl. Wedel," was baptized on 4 June 1770. Godparents were Johannes Sommer and Elizabeth his wife. An English translation of the baptism by Rev. George M. Smith accompanies the microfilm copy of the original record.

Some who have worked on the Shenandoah County records have confused the records of Johannes Wedel with those of Johannes Wendel/Windle. Both men were living in Shenandoah Co. at the same time and both had wives named Maria Magdalena. The land they owned and their German-script signatures on deeds were different thereby enabling the two men to be distinguished.

Klaus Wust, in his edited version of Rev. Smith's translation of the Johann Henrich record, shows the name to be Johann Heinrich Wendel (Strasburg Lutheran German Records, 1786-1829, Strasburg, Virginia, Shenandoah History Publishers, 1997, p. 15). Wust states on p. 14 "Without some imagination a certain number of names could never have been rendered the right way." Unfortunately Wust did not give his best translation of this German script record and then separately give his interpretation of the names for this record. The original record does not have an "n" in the surname Wedel and Rev. Smith's translation of the surname as Wedel is accurate.

Daniel Bly (From the Rhine to the Shenandoah, Gateway Press, 1996, p. 203) assigned Wust's Johann Heinrich (Henry) to the Johannes Wendel (John Windle) family. Apparently Bly did not find another record on Henry and shows that he died early. When contacted about this record Mr. Bly (personal communication, 8 Mar 2000) stated "I believed that the baptism was for a child of Johannes Wendel because Johannes' wife was named Maria Magdalena but it could certainly be Wedel as there was indeed a Wedel (various spellings) in the area." Other records appear to show that Johann Henrich Wedel was later known by the name Henry Waddle and died 18 Sep 1849 in Pulaski Co., Kentucky.

The Wedel family was German-speaking and Johannes signed his name on deeds with a distinctive signature in German script. The signature, as recorded in the deed books by the clerks, appears to be a facsimile of the way they perceived his signature on the original deed. The transcription of the given name usually looks like "Johnns" and the surname variously resembles "Will"," Well", "Ull", "Null", etc., but these apparent names do not resemble the English-script name given within the deed records.

In the English-script records Johannes' given name is shown as John and the surname is spelled variously Weddle, Woldle, Waddle, Weedle, Wendle, Wattle, Wadel and Waddel. The family surname was recorded as Wedel in two German-script baptismal records by ministers who presumably were relatively well educated and literate in German. The name Waddle is the most common name found in English-script records for Johannes and his children though the surname for daughters Barbara, and Elisabeth is Waddell. Some descendants have apparently changed their surname from Waddle to Waddell. Because Johannes always signed his name in German script, his German name is used here; whereas, the surname name for his children is spelled as it is most commonly found in the records for them and their descendants.

Johannes signed some records with his mark. From the records found his wife signed deed records with a distinctive "M" mark, with her given name being shown as Mary. All of their presumed children, except Martin, signed early records with their marks. On two Sullivan Co., Tennessee deed records Martin's signature appears to be in German script.

On 21 Jun 1772, Pastor John Andrew Krug of the Monocacy Lutheran Congregation in Frederick County, Maryland baptized several children while he was on circuit in the Strasburg, Virginia area. Among these children was "Regina, dau. of Joh. And Maria Magdal. Wedel, b. 24 Mar 1772. Sponsor: Catharina Magin (Mauck)" (Frederick S. Wiser, Maryland German Church Records, Volume 3 Baptismal records of the Monocacy Lutheran Congregation, and its successor, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland, 1742 -1779, 1987, p. 66). The surname is unmistakably Wedel in the original record (Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frederick County, Maryland, Church Records 1742-1915, FHL US/CAN Film 20487). This is the only record found for Regina.

Daniel Bly (personal communication, 15 Sep 1999) generously provided the reference to Regina's baptism. He stated "I suspect Krug spelled the name [Wedel] pretty much the way it would have been written in standard German--pronunciation would have been pretty close to the English "wattle." From this it appears reasonable to assume that Johannes' surname was spelled "Wedel" and that spelling has been adopted here. It has been reported that the name Waddell is pronounced "Waddle" in Scotland. Thus it is easy to understand how the German name Wedel, when pronounced "wattle," became Waddle and Waddell when the clerks phonetically Anglicized the name.

Johannes Wedel's distinctive signature can be recognized on deed documents in Shenandoah and Augusta Counties, Virginia, and Sullivan County, Tennessee. On the basis of this distinctive signature it is here proposed that Johannes arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 14 Sep 1754, on the ship "Nancy" from Rotterdam, but last from Cowes. By his signature he did take and "subscribe the usual Oaths and Declarations to the Government. Capt' Ewing. Inhabitants of Lorain" (Strassburger and Hinke, Pennsylvania German Pioneers, A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals In the Port of Philadelphia From 1727 to 1818, Pennsylvania German Society, 1934, vol. 1, p. 595, List [215 C]). The passengers consisted of "15 Roman Catholicks, 200 Freights (passengers), 87 [Signers]" from Lorraine. Wives and children are not listed so it is not clear if Johannes arrived with a wife and children.

A Johann Peter Wedel is also on the ship lists. On List 215 A, p. 591, Peter is listed between Jacob Miller and Daniel Zimmer, whereas, on Lists 215 B, p. 593, and 215 C, p. 594, Johannes is listed between them. This seems to suggest a relationship between Peter and Johannes.

Though Johannes' signature is distinctive his surname was clearly not discernable on translations of the ship list records by Strassburger and Hinke, 1934, and by Rupp (A Collection of upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and other Immigrants in Pennsylvania from 1727 to 1776, Leary, Stuart Co., 1927). Strassburger shows Johannes' name as Johannes Widle on Captain's List 215 A, vol. 1, p. 591 and as Johanns Weill on lists B and C, pp. 592 and 593. In contrast, Rupp (p. 323) shows Johannes' name as Johannes Ull on his translation of list C. Johann Peter Wedel's signature is clear, but he appears to be listed by Strassburger and Hinke as Peter Wigel on list A.

The signature of Johannes on List B appears to have a dotted "i" after what appears to be an initial capitalized "W" and the name looks like "Will," but on List C it lacks the dotted "i". This variable pattern, which also is evident on deed records, leaves some uncertainty about how Johannes' surname was spelled in German. The best evidence appears to be from the baptismal records, which indicate the most likely spelling was Wedel and from the way the name was apparently pronounced and recorded in deed records. As discussed in the section on Johannes' presumed daughter Elisabeth he may have had a second or "calling name" Jacob.

Male passengers 14 and older were required to sign the ship registers. This indicates Johannes was born before 1740. If he was the usual age of 25 when he married he would have been born about 1734.

Passenger List A refers to the passengers as Palatines. List C states they were from Lorraine. Further evidence of where Johannes was from has, as yet, not been found. James Alexander McClure (The McClure Family, Presses of F. A. Owen 1914, p. 191) states the John Waddle [Johannes Wedel] family was from Saxe-Weimar, Switzerland, but does not give his source for this information. Saxe-Weimar is located in the state of Thuringia, in central Germany and the name Waddle does not appear to be German or Swiss.

The name Wedel is not listed in the book Swiss Surnames a Complete Register, vol. R-Z, Picton Press, Camden, Maine, 1999. The name von Wedel is listed just for 1786. However, Annette K. Burgert shows that a Jacob Wedel, originally from Wogenhaus (Wagenhausen), Switzerland, had a daughter Margaretha baptized in 1670 in Lachen-Speyerdorf in the Palatinate (Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Emigrants from Lachen-Speyerdorf in the Palatinate, 1989, p. 30). A Wagenhausen also occurs in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, which suggests the possibility that the reference to Switzerland could be in error because the name Wedel does not appear to be a Swiss name. Thus it remains unclear where in Europe Johannes was from. Perhaps his wife Maria Magdalena was the daughter of one of the Swiss families who lived near the Wedels in the Strasburg area.

On 5 November 1771, Johannes made the following oath before John Hite in order to obtain title to 296 acres of land near Strasburg, in the present Shenandoah Co., which was originally claimed by his father Daniel (Land Office, Northern Neck Surveys, Frederick County, Box 24), The Library of Virginia. Johannes's name is given as John Weddle for this record in Peggy Shomo Joyner's Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys, Dunmore, Shenandoah, Culpeper, Prince William, Fauquier & Stafford Counties, 1710 - 1780, Vol. III, p. 163

"Frederick CountyThis Day John Woldle came before me one of His Majesties justices of the Pace for sd Conty And made oath that he was the only Heare of his Fathers Daniel Woldles Land Lieing two miles above Lororince Shnapp near by John Grable And Daniel Sheaver Land and was Sworn Before me the 5th Day of November 1771.Jno Hite"

On 20 June 1763, R. Rutherford surveyed this 296-acre parcel of land for Daniel Weddle (Land Office, Northern Neck Surveys, Frederick County, Box 24, The Library of Virginia). The survey document states "By virtue of a warrant from the Proprietors office Bearing date the 10th day of February 1762 I have surveyed for Daniel Weddle of Frederick County a tract of land on the no River of Shanandoah in the sd County." Markers (chain carriers) were Daniel Weddle, Peter Mack, Martin Black and Goodlip Black.

The survey shows the land was adjacent to John Crabell, Joseph Reedingour and Daniel Shaver. The names Crabell and Shaver occur again with the Wedel family in Tennessee. A David Shaver owned land adjacent to a parcel Johannes' son sold to Harman Lature in Sullivan Co., Tennessee on 29 Jun 1813 (Sullivan Co. Deed Book 6, p.330). A Joseph Crabel, deceased, had owned land adjacent to a parcel Johannes sold to his son Peter in Grainger Co., Tennessee on 28 Mar 1821 (Grainger Co. Deed Book F, p. 31).

The warrant was issued in the name of Peter Weddle and the survey was made for Daniel Weddle. The warrant states the land was adjacent to John Craybill and Jonah Little. It is not clear if Peter and Daniel were the same person. Possibly Peter was Daniel's son. Another possibility is that Daniel's name was Johann Peter Daniel Wedel and at times he was known by the name Daniel or Peter. A ship record has not been found for a Daniel Wedel who appears likely to have been Johannes's father. Possibly the Johann Peter Wedel who arrived on the ship "Nancy" in 1754 was Johannes' father. No record has been found showing where or when Daniel died, though the records indicate he died after 20 Jun 1763 and before 5 Nov 1771.

On 9 Feb 1756, John Daniel Wedel witnessed the will of John Walker who left his property to John Funk Jr. (Frederick Co., Will Book 2, p. 185, FHL film 31348). At that time the Funk family owned much of the land where Strasburg is now located (Daniel Bly, From the Rhine to the Shenandoah, 1993, p. 72). It seems likely that this John Daniel Wedel was the father of Johannes and that he and his son were probably were living in the Strasburg area by 1756.

Because a marriage record for Johannes and Maria Magdalena has not been found, it is not clear if she was the mother of all of the children, though she appears to have been. The oldest child is shown here to be Daniel on the basis of typical German naming patterns in which the first child is named for the father's father. He appears to have born about 1759. The youngest child, Anna Maria, was born 12 Mar 1789 (Peggy Shomo Joyner, St. John's Register, German Reformed and Lutheran, Augusta County, Virginia (1748), 1786-1872, 1995, p.14). This 30-year span is long for child bearing, but possible if Maria Magdalena was about 15 when her first child was born. It is possible that Anna Maria was the daughter of Johannes' son John Jr.; however, it appears John Jr.'s son John Sally was born about 1788 (Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Pension Files, M804-Roll no. 2465, R 10970) and (Washington Co., Virginia tax lists, FHL films 1906744, 5). Therefore, Anna Maria has been tentatively assigned to Johannes.

If the above is reasonably accurate Johannes and Maria Magdalena may have been married about 1759. She would have been born about 1744 if aged 15 when she married.

Johannes and his wife began to sell the land he inherited from his father not long after the patent was issued 5 Nov 1771. By an indenture on 2 April 1772 they sold (lease) 125 1/2 acres of the 296-acre parcel to Frances Holl (Hull/Holt) for 5 shillings; the next day, on 3 April 1772, the same parcel was sold (release) to Holl for 15 pounds (Shenandoah Co. Deed Book A, p. 16-18).

Johannes' name, as written in the deeds in the deed book, appears to be John Weedle. The signature resembles his distinctive signature and his wife's name is signed with her mark Mary "M" Wattle. However, Johannes's surname looks like "Uill" on the 2 April deed and "Uall" on the 3 April deed. This variation in signatures is similar to those on the 1754 Nancy ship lists. This may also show the difficulty the clerk had in trying to reproduce the signatures from the original deeds when he transcribed them into the deed book. Amelia C. Gilreath shows Johannes' surname as John Windle in abstracts of these deeds (Shenandoah County, Virginia Deed Book Series, Volume 1, Deed Books A, B, C, D 1772-1784,, 1987, p. 2. Apparently Gilreath knew of John Windle, but did not know of Johannes Wedel, perhaps because his name was not legible.

The deeds state Johannes and his wife were residents of the County of Frederick and that Francis Holl was already in possession of the land. The deeds were acknowledged in a Court held for Dunmore on Tuesday, 26 May 1772. Shenandoah County was formed in 1772 with the original name of Dunmore and the county was renamed Shenandoah in 1778. It is not clear from these deeds where the Wedels were living. Possibly they were living in what is now Shenandoah Co. on their remaining land.

Indentures of lease and release were again issued in 1774 to Francis Holl for the same parcel of 125 1/2 acres. Johannes and his wife signed them on 13 May 1774 (Shenandoah Co. Deed Book A, p. 530-532). These deeds state Johannes was a resident of Dunmore Co. and his name is given as John Woldle. His name is written John Woddle on the signature line and signed with his mark. Maria Magdalena's name is written Mary "M" Woldle and signed with her mark. These indentures were proved by one of the witnesses Samuel Mills in a Court for Dunmore County 26 Jul 1774.

Johannes and wife sold the remaining 173 1/2 acres of his parcel to George Fectley lease on 22 Nov 1773 for 5 shillings and by release for 30 pounds on 23 Nov 1773 (Shenandoah Co. Deed Book A, pp. 432-434). In the deed, Johannes' name is given as John Weedle, a resident of Dunmore Co. On the signature line Johannes name is John Weedle and signed with his mark. His wife's signature is Mary "M" Weedle by her mark.

No record has been found showing where the family lived in Shenandoah Co after the land sales. A John Weddle is listed in the Rent Rolls for 1774, 1775, and 1776 for Dunmore County (now Shenandoah) (Accelerated Indexing Systems International, Early American Series Early Virginia , vol. 1, p. 544). From this record it appears they continued to live in the county after the sale of the land.

A Martin Waddle filed an application for a Revolutionary War pension on 6 Sep 1832, in Greene County, Tennessee. (Revolutionary War Pension # W1008, National Archives, Washington, D. C.). He gave his age as 69 and stated that in 1777 or 1778 he was a resident of Shenandoah County, Virginia and substituted in the place of Nicholas Dull who had been drafted to serve a three-month tour against the Indians. In the fall 1780 he volunteered in the Company of Capt. Rinker. If his age was accurately given, he would have only been 14 or 15 at the time of his first service. It is presumed here that this Martin was a son of Johannes because the family of Johannes is the only "Waddle" family recorded in Shenandoah Co. at this time. Martin's statement may show the family had continued to live in Shenandoah County until 1780. Later this Martin is found in Sullivan Co., Tennessee living near Johannes Wedel.

The next record found for Johannes is dated 16 May 1780 in Augusta County, Virginia where he purchased for the sum of 165 pounds a parcel of land containing 205 acres from Mathias Gabbert and his wife Christian (Augusta Co. Deed Book 23, p. 244). The parcel was located about 2 miles east of the town of Middlebrook and 9 miles southwest of Staunton on the waters of Christian's Creek.

On 16 April 1782 Johannes and his wife sold 16 1/2 acres of the land they were living on to the Congregation Adhering to the Bethel Meeting House for 5 pounds (Augusta Co. Deed Book 23, p. 456). The name in the deed is John Waddle and the signature is in German script and resembles "Johnnes Null." Maria Magdalena signed with her mark Mary "M" Waddle.

On 18 May 1784, Johannes and his wife sold 102 1/2 acres to Christian Bomgarner and Lewis Childmore (Augusta Co. Deed Book 24, p. 220). The name in this deed is John Waddel and the signatures are in bold English script with the names John Wadel and Mary (M her mark) Wadel. Apparently the clerk did not try to copy Johannes signature from the original deed.

The name Waddle occurs in Augusta Co. records for individuals in four unrelated families for whom the surname does not appear to have been Waddle. Alexander Waddell (now of Pocahontas Co., West Virginia) had sons William, James, John, Alexander, and Joseph. Thomas Woodell, mostly spelled Waddle in the records, had sons Thomas, John, James, and Joseph. James Waddell, sometimes referred to as the blind preacher, had sons James, Nathaniel, Addison, and Harrington. Johannes Wedel and his sons Daniel, John, Peter, Henry, and Jacob are recorded with surnames Waddle, Wadel, and variations of Waddell in Augusta Co. records during the period from 1780 to 1796.

In 1783, personal property tax records show Johannes (John Waddle) with 3 horses and 6 cattle (Personal property tax lists of Augusta County, 1782-1795, FHL US/CAN Film 2024461). The 16 to 21-age category is not shown for 1783 so it is not clear if any of his sons who were that age lived in the household. In 1784, Johannes has 4 horses and 4 cattle and his presumed son John Waddle Jr. appears to be living nearby with 1 horse. It is possible that John Jr. had just turned 21 and therefore is listed this year for the first time.

In 1785, John Sr. is listed with 1 tithable in the 16-to 21-age category and 3 horses and 4 cattle. This new tithable appears to have been his son Peter. A Daniel Waddle and John Jr. are listed separately, but nearby, with one horse each.

It is assumed here that Daniel was also the son of Johannes. Apparently Daniel did not move to Augusta County at the same time his parents did. John Jr. and Daniel continue to be listed in the tax records through 1789, however Daniel is not listed in 1790 suggesting he had left August Co. by then. No record of Martin has been found in Augusta Co. records.

In 1786, John Sr. is again listed with 1 tithable 16 to 21 and 3 horses and 2 cattle. In 1787, he is listed with 2 tithables 16 to 21 and 2 horses and 7 cattle. Then on 22 May 1788, John Sr. is listed with tithables named Peter and Henry in the 16 to 21category and with 3 horses. Presumably, Peter and Henry are the tithables listed in the 16 to 21category in the 3 previous years and were the sons of Johannes.

From these tax lists it appears Peter was born about 1768 and Henry about 1770. This birth year for Henry is consistent with the baptismal record for Johann Henrich Wedel on 4 Jun 1770 in Frederick (now Shenandoah) County and the two records appear to be for the same person.

In 1790, John Sr., John Jr., and Peter are listed in the above 21 category confirming that Peter was born about 1768. In 1791, they are not listed in the tax records; however, they are shown as delinquents in 1790 who moved to French Broad, a river in eastern Tennessee (Lyman Chalkley, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement of Virginia, 1974, vol. 2, p. 426)

Several of Johannes' children are evident from Augusta Co. marriage records (Augusta County Clerk of the Circuit Court). By a license and bond dated 28 Jun 1785 Mary (Maria Magdalena), daughter of John Waddle (Johannes Wedel), married Jacob Bumgarner. Jacob and a John Waddle signed the bond with their marks. The mark for John Waddle is unique and differs from the marks usually shown for both John Sr. and Jr. so it not clear whom the John Waddle was who signed the bond.

Marriage records also show Daniel Waddle signed 6 May 1788, with his mark, a bond for the marriage of John Jr. and Philpena Hemp. A bond was signed 19 Jul 1796 for the marriage of Johannes's son Jacob and Jane Jackson. This bond states "by these presents, that we Jacob Waddell and Jacob Bumgarner are firmly bound." The signatures for the two Jacobs are partly obscured by seal marks and the way the names were spelled is not clear, but neither is by a mark.

Church records seem to show an infant daughter of Johannes and Maria Magdalena died shortly before they moved to Sullivan Co., Tennessee. Dorothy Lee Weaver ("Here Lyeth," Tombstone Inscriptions of Most Cemeteries in Riverheads District of Southern Augusta County Staunton, Virginia, second edition, 1987, p. 9) shows the following record from the St. Johns Register: "Wattel, Anna Maria d/o Johannes, pg 21, d. 12 Aug 1790 (17 mo 3). From the same register Peggy Shomo Joyner (St. John's Register, German Reformed and Lutheran, Augusta County, Virginia (1748), 1786-1872, 1995, p. 14) reported "12 Aug 1790 a daughter of Johannes Watteln died. Name Anna Maria. She was 17 months, 3 weeks and 1 day old (12 Mar 1789)." These reports appear to be for a daughter of Johannes Wedel.

It is not clear when Johannes left Augusta Co. for Tennessee with his family. Johannes and his sons John Jr. and Peter are listed in Augusta Co. court records for 1790 as having removed to French Broad (a river in eastern Tennessee). However, Johannes and Maria Magdalena did not sell the last of their land in Augusta Co. until 15 Feb 1791. On that date they sold a parcel containing 139 acres to Jacob Probeck for 140 pounds and a 4-acre parcel to James Mitchell for 20 pounds (Augusta Co. Deed Book 27, p. 78 and 91). The signatures for Johannes are in German script and resemble his signatures on other deeds. On the Probeck deed Maria Magdalena's name is Mary Waddle and signed by her typical "M" mark. This is the last record found with her signature.

In previous versions of this manuscript I reported that the first deed recorded in Tennessee for Johannes Wedel was for a Sheriff's sale deed in Sullivan Co, dated 12 Sep 1790 (Deed Book 2, p. 416). This was in error. Recent research by Bobbi Everett, in her search for information on John B. Waddle (personal communication 14 Jun 2003), has shown that the John Waddle in this deed was John Waddle/Weddel of Hawkins County, TN (John Waddle Records, Distant Cross Roads, 4 Oct. 1996, Vol. 13, No. 4, p. 107-112). This John Waddle/Weddel originally purchased this land from Robert Patterson on 9 Jan 1784 on the waters of Holston River, adjoining the mouth of Carter's Creek. At the time the land was in Sullivan County, North Carolina, but fell in Hawkins County when that county was formed in 1786. Washington County, Tennessee court records show this 250-acre parcel was subject to continued litigation until the heirs of John Waddle/Weddel sold the land to George Waller 19 Jul 1800.

By a deed recorded 7 Dec 1791 (Deed Book 2, p. 489) a John Waddle of Sullivan Co purchased 150 acres from John Yancey for 100 pounds. He sold this parcel to Robert Yancey 28 Aug 1797 for 150 pounds (Deed Book 3, p. 135). The signature on this deed is "John Waddle" in English script, apparently by the hand of the scribe who wrote the record. Therefore, the signature does not necessarily reflect the signature that was on the original deed. The only identifiable John Waddle family living in Sullivan County from 1791 to 1819 appears to have been that of Johannes Wedel

The location of the 150 acre tract is shown on a map in a report by W. Dale Carter on Yancey’s Tavern (http://tinyurl.com/6vfvgpu). The purpose of Mr. Carter’s report was to show that the house or building referred to as Yancey’s Tavern or the Sparr house, and identified on the map, was not the building used by John Yancey for his tavern. His map shows the Waddle tract in the northwest part of the 900 acre area originally owned by John Yancey. The house is shown centrally located beside a road in the northern part of this Waddle tract. In his summary paragraph Mr. Carter contends that the house was most likely built by “William Waddle” (presumably he meant John Waddle). Even if John Waddle did not build the house it seems likely that he lived there with his family.

In 1795, a John Waddle Sr. and 17 other men, including John Yancey and H. (Henry) Mock were ordered by the court to review the great road from "John Yanius'" to the North Fork of Holston River (Oliver Taylor, Historic Sullivan, The Overmountain Press, 1998, p. 225). The reference to John Waddle Sr. suggests that a John Jr. may have been living in Sullivan Co. at that time. John Waddle Sr. apparently lived someplace along the road. Most likely he was the John Waddle who purchased the 150-acre parcel from John Yancey.

This reference would seem to indicate that John Yancey Sr. had a residence on or near the road at someplace east of the Waddle residence. Muriel Spoden reported (Muriel Millar Clark Spoden, Kingsport Heritage the Early Years 1700 to 1900, 1991, p. 152) that John Sevier spent the night a John Yancey’s Tavern in Feb 1796. This would seem to support Mr. Carter’s contention that John Yancey’s Tavern was not located on the John Waddle land unless for some unexplained reason he continued to operate the tavern under his name on the Waddle land or John Waddle continued to operate the tavern under the original owner’s name.

Mr Carter states “John Yancey kept a ledger of the daily operation of the tavern. The ledger shows entries that are dated after Yancey had sold the 150-acre tract to Waddle. Therefore, Yancey continued to operate the tavern after he sold the land to Waddle. Therefore, the tavern was not located on the Waddle purchase.” Efforts to locate the ledger have been unsuccessful. Bobbi Everett contacted Mr. Carter through his wife by telephone and he reported “that someone had sent him a copy of the pages where whiskey was sold after the date of the sale of property to Waddle” and that “he couldn't remember the source” (Bobbi Everett, personal communication 12 Aug 2011).

John Yancey, the tavern owner, will be referred to here as John Sr., his son as John Jr., and his grandson as John III. These distinctions are necessary because they are easy to confuse from the records.

The tavern building is on the National Register of Historic Places as “Yancey's Tavern (added 1973 #73001850) E of Kingsport on TN 126 , Kingsport” http://tinyurl.com/75habb9. This appears to reflect the historical memory of the people in the area. Regarding the house, Muriel Spoden reported in the book on the historical sites of Sullivan County that the house “was built beside the most important road of time and area, the 1761 Island Road (later called the Great Stage Road). Believed to have been the home of Amos Eaton” (Sullivan County Historical Commission, Historic Sites of Sullivan County, 1980). Amos Eaton was the original owner of the land the house is on.

This leaves in question where Amos Eaton’s house was located and where the actual Yancey Tavern building was located. Perhaps if the reported Yancey Tavern ledger could be found additional information could be gained about the operation of the tavern. It might be possible to do a dendroarchaeology study on the logs to determine when the parts of the of the currently designated Yancey’s Tavern building were built. Such a study was done on John Sevier’s cabin (http://tinyurl.com/7qklk44).

Mr. Carter’s report includes some factual errors and some of his conclusions are subject to question. He shows his presumed approximate location of Yancey’s Tavern by an arrow pointing to the middle of a tract of land labeled “Widow’s Dower.” No house is shown. Inexplicably Mr. Carter does not explain how John Yancey Sr. could have operated a tavern from this location because it does not lie beside the Island Road that travelers used during the time Yancey reportedly operated the tavern.

Another Carter map shows the dower land belonged to a Mary (Polly) Yancey. Mr. Carter states that she was believed to be the widow of John Yancey Sr. and that he died before 1807. This appears to be incorrect. No Sullivan County records have been found that clearly show the name of John Yancey’s wife or when he died. This Internet site on John & Susannah Coleman Yancey of Sullivan Co., TN/Todd Co., KY (http://tinyurl.com/77tbc7t) discusses the possible ancestry of John Yancey with a second wife Susannah that includes sons Robert, Ambrose, and John Jr. who are identifiable in the Sullivan County records

By a deed dated 16 Feb 1801, page 364 of Deed Book 3, “John Yancey of Sullivan Co, for the love and affection I bear towards my son John Yance of Sullivan Co, do give and grant unto my son John Yance or at his disposial all my land or lands lying in Sullivan County. In particular a tract of land deed to James Hollis sold by Amos Eaton to the aforesaid Yance. adjoining William Anderson, Martin Roller, Henery Borrowget, Martin Waddle, Robert Yance. which tract contains 450 acres. I give my said son John Yance one negro boy named Frank aged 4 years.

[365] I reserve my natural life of living on it the afore said place and not be be distrubed by myson and at the expiration of my life the above said tract of land shall be delivered to my said sonJohn Yance. John Yance (seal) Wit: John Kley, William Anderson, Samuel AndersonFeb Session 1801 proved by William Anderson. Test Mattw Rhea Clk. Reg Mar 04 1801 (Susan Hardin Austin, Sullivan County Tennessee Vol. 3, 2002)

This deed clearly shows there would not have been any dower land for a wife to inherit.The fact that John Yancey does not mention a wife in this deed may suggest he did not have one or that he planned to provide for her elsewhere. The fact that he does not provide for his other sons and possible daughters suggests he had already provided for them. The deed also might suggest John Yancey Sr. owned land elsewhere as he restricted the deed to land in Sullivan County.

John Yancey Jr. is shown on the Yancey Family Genealogical Database site (http://tinyurl.com/7flk8cj) with a wife named Mary Polly Mauch and daughters Lucinda and Matilda, and a son John Yancey III who was born about 1807. John Jr. appears to have died about 1807 in Sullivan County. The Nathan Richardson that Carter refers to in the settlement of the John Yancey Sr. estate was the husband of John Yancey Jr.’s daughter Lucinda and the estate that was being settled was that of John Yancey Jr.

Henry Mock (locality 314, Historical Map of Long Island of the Holston, Muriel Clark Spoden, 1969) is reported to have been the son of Johann Peter Mauck in Shenandoah County, Virginia (http://home.kc.rr.com/kenneal/mock/22.html). He may have been related to the Catharina Magin (Mauck) who acted as sponsor for the baptism of Johannes' daughter Regina in Shenandoah County.

On 28 Feb 1795 James Gaines, agent and purchaser of Edmond Pendleton, and Robert Yancey signed a bond indebting themselves to John Waddle for 500 pounds in the event they failed to convey unto the said John Waddle a deed of conveyance for a 152 acre parcel of land sold by James Gaines to Robert Yancey (Washington County Court Records Box. 1 Folder 6-3, East Tennessee State University, Archives of Appalachia, Johnson City, TN). The parcel was surveyed out of the Reedy Creek Tract patented to Edmond Pendleton and adjoining Edmond Stevenson's survey.

This 152-acre parcel appears to be the 152-1/2-acre parcel on Reedy Creek at the eastern end of the Pendleton Grant deeded to John Waddle (Johannes Wedel) from Edmond Pendleton and John Taylor (Deed Book 4, p. 765) on 8 Feb 1802. This parcel was adjacent to the Reedy Creek Settlement and is shown as locality 402 on the Historical Map of Long Island of the Holston, 1969). Johannes' characteristic signature is on deeds related to this parcel.

Gaines and Yancey apparently failed to convey the deed in 1795 as required by the their bond and John Waddle proceeded with court action in the Superior Court of Law held for the Washington District, Jonesborough, Washington County, Tennessee to obtain his deed. On 19 August 1799 Jacob Waddle and John Waddle signed a bond to James Gaines and Robert Yancey to be void on the condition that John Waddle proceeded with a suit filed against them on that day. On that day the Sheriff of Sullivan County was ordered to have James Gaines and Robert Yancey in the September court to answer why they had not kept and performed their bond to him.

The signature of John Waddle on the bond is in the form of a crude mark that resembles a large "J." Jacob's signature resembles his signature on the bond he signed for his marriage to Jane Jackson (19 Jul 1796, Augusta Co. Clerk of the Court).

The court ruled in the 1800 March term that Gaines and Yancey had "not performed their covenants in manner as they ought" (Washington County Court Records, Box. 1 Folder 8-8, East Tennessee State University, Archives of Appalachia, Johnson City, TN.).

Subsequently the 152-1/2-acre parcel on Reedy Creek at the eastern end of the Pendleton Grant was deeded to John Waddle (Johannes Wedel) from Edmond Pendleton and John Taylor for 50 pounds (Deed Book 4, p. 765) on 8 Feb 1802.

Records have not been found that clearly show where the Wedel family lived during their early years in Sullivan county. One might presume they lived on the John Yancey 150-acre tract from 1791 until it was sold in 1797, however the deed for the 152 1/2-acre parcel on Reedy Creek was not registered until 1802. This leaves a five-year period during which Johannes was not the registered owner of any land. Possibly he assumed he owned the Reedy Creek parcel and lived there because James Gaines and Robert Yancey had signed a bond assuring they would give him a deed to the land.

The Reedy Creek Settlement (Murial Spoden, Kingsport Heritage, The Overmountain Press 1991, p. 165) was about 8 miles northeast of Kingsport, Tennessee and just a mile or so south of the Washington (now Scott) Co., Virginia line. The settlement was near the mouth of the North Fork of Reedy (now Boozy) Creek and was on the Reedy Creek Road used by early settlers entering the area. Washington Co. Virginia records seem to show Johannes' sons Daniel, John Jr., and Peter eventually settled in that county for a few years.

On 17 Aug 1802 (Sullivan Co. Deed Book 10, p 89) Johannes sold 51 acres of his 152 1/2-acre parcel to Jacob Waddle, presumably his son. He sold an additional 1-acre parcel to him on 12 May 1810 (Sullivan Co. Deed Book 6, p. 78). The signatures on both deeds are in German script and resemble Johannes's signatures on deeds in Shenandoah Co. and Augusta Co., Virginia. The first resembles "Janns Will" and the second "Johnns Null." Apparently Tennessee law did not require the wife's signature, as was required in Virginia, and no mention is made of a wife in the deeds. No record of Maria Magdalena has been found in Tennessee deed records though she is mentioned in Johannes's will which is reproduced at the end of this section.

On 13 Sep 1819 Johannes sold the remaining 102-acre part of his 152 1/2-acre parcel to Abner Hughes for $1000 (Sullivan Co. Deed Book 8. p. 147). The deed is signed John Waddle, by his mark. John Anderson and Johannes' son George Waddle witnessed the deed. On the same day Johannes (John Waddle of the County of Sullivan) purchased a 219-acre parcel from Fare Owen (of the County of Grainger) on German Creek in Grainger Co., Tennessee for $900 (Grainger Co., Tennessee Deed Book G, p. 32). This deed was not registered in Grainger County until 31 Oct 1834. John Anderson and Abner Hughes witnessed the deed. It would be interesting to know the circumstances that led Fare Owen to be in Sullivan County and what led Johannes to purchase this particular parcel of land in Grainger Co.

Abner Hughes was a prominent neighbor of the Wedel (Waddle) family in the Reedy Creek Settlement. He reportedly was a farmer, doctor and owner of powder mills (Families and History of Sullivan County, Tennessee, Volume One, 1779-1992, Compiled by Holston Territory Genealogical Society, 1993, p. 469).

Abner Hughes was reported to have been a witnessed to the marriage of a Barbara Waddell to John Fitch, in Aug 1795 (John Fitch, Rev. War Pension File 3506, National Archives, Washington, D. C). It is here proposed that Barbara was the daughter of Johannes and Maria Magdalena Wedel as this is the only Waddle/Waddell family is found in Sullivan County records during this time period.

Martin Waddle, probably a son of Johannes, first appears in the Sullivan Co. records on 22 Feb 1796, when he purchased 135 acres from William Childres (Sullivan Co. Deed Book 3, p. 41). Then on 31 May 1798 he purchased 299 acres on Reedy Creek and 200 acres north of the Great Road on 3 Jan 1801(Sullivan Co. Deed Book 3, p. 245, 366). On 19 Nov 1804 he sold 1 acre of land to the "Church of Lutherans Presbyterians." (Sullivan Co. Deed Book 4, p. 601). This parcel is shown as location 305, Eaton's Ridge MeetingHouse, on Muriel Clark Spoden's Historical Map of Long Island of the Holston, 1969. Martin sold the last of this land 19 Oct 1811 (Sullivan Co. Deed Book 6, p. 193). In this deed he is referred to as "of Greene County", showing he had moved to Greene County, Tennessee.

Martin Waddle of Greene County stated in his Revolutionary War pension application (Revolutionary War Pension # W1008, National Archives, Washington, D. C.) that he was living in Shenandoah County in 1777 or 1778 and 1780. Considering his age when he first served and the fact that he lived close to Johannes in Sullivan Co. strongly suggests he was Johannes' son.

No record has been found showing where Martin lived after his military service and before his first land purchases in Sullivan County. However, according to information in his pension file he married a German girl named Susanna Stoke in March 1791 in Sullivan County, which indicates he probably had moved there some time before that date. Johannes and Maria Magdalena did not sell the last of their land in Augusta Co. until 15 Feb 1791. This suggests Martin was living in Sullivan Co. when they arrived. Possibly Daniel was living there also. A Daniel Waddle's "old survey" is mentioned in a deed dated 8 Aug 1824 between John H. Wadlow and Augustin Bishop (Sullivan Co. Deed Book 10, p. 75). No indication is given when the survey was made.

Greene Co. property tax records show a further strong relation between Martin and the Johannes Wedel family (Goldene Fillers Burger, Greene County, Tennessee Tax Digests, 1809-1817, Southern Historical Press, 1986, p. 20). Martin is first listed there in 1809 as Martin Waddill with 181 acres on Camp Creek. Also listed on Camp Creek is a George Waddill with 110 acres. They are both listed again in 1810 (p. 68) with the name Waddle. This George Waddle was probably Martin's youngest brother and appears to be the same George Waddle who witnessed the 1819 deed for his father's sale of land to Abner Hughes.

George apparently moved back to Sullivan Co. He is listed there for the first time in the tax list for 1812 along with his father Johannes (John Waddle), and his brother Jacob in Capt. Shaver's Company (Mary Barnett Curtis, Early East Tennessee Tax Lists, 1964, 1964). He is listed as one White Poll with no land, whereas, Johannes and Jacob each have 100 acres. On 29 Jan 1812 George sold his personal property to Harman Lature (Sullivan Co., Deed Book 6, p. 186). He may have lived with his father after moving back to Sullivan Co.

According to research by Calista Dunham (personal communication, 16 Mar 1999) on the George Waddle family, George appears to have married Annis Hughes about 1805. Abner Hughes had a daughter named Sarah Anice who was born 8 Feb 1803 in Sullivan Co. (Family History Library, Ancestral File, AFN: KZPD-KB). This seems to suggest Annis may have been somehow related to Abner Hughes, further showing a strong relationship between the Abner Hughes and Johannes Wedel families.

Johannes moved to Grainger County, Tennessee shortly after he purchased his land there in 1819. His sons Peter and George and their families may have moved with him. He is first listed in the tax records in 1820 (Grainger County Clerk, Tax lists 1797-1837, FHL US/CAN Film 046105). He is not listed in 1821 and 1822; however, in 1821 he sold 49 acres and thirty poles of his original 219-acre parcel to his son Peter (Grainger Co. Deed Book F, p. 31). Johannes is listed in the tax record for 1823 along with his sons Peter and George who each are shown to have 50 acres and Johannes 116 acres. Though a deed record has not been found it appears Johannes conveyed an additional 50 acres of his original 219-acre parcel to his son George.

They continue to be listed in the tax records through 1827. In 1828, only Peter and George are listed. This seems to suggest Johannes died during the time between 1827 and 1828 when the two tax lists were taken. The date the tax information was recorded is not given.

Johannes' will appears to be given in the book Grainger County, Tennessee, Loose Wills , WPA Records (1938)(Mountain Press), on pages 90 and 91 under the name John Waddle and signed with his mark, dated 8 June 1825. In the will Johannes gave to his "Son Jacob Woods" all of his estate both real and personal on the condition that Jacob continue to live with Johannes and his wife Magdalene during their joint lives and the life of the survivor. He was to support them in a comfortable manner agreeable to Johannes and his wife and cultivate the farm. A complete copy of this will is given at the end of this section.

Unfortunately the will does not explain how a person named Jacob Woods could have been the son of Johannes (John Waddle). It is suggested here that Jacob was an orphaned grandson, probably the son of daughter Regina, who was raised as a son from an early age. The will was recorded in the February term of the court in 1828. If this action was taken shortly after Johannes died his death presumably occurred about Feb 1828. The handwriting of John F. Jack, a witness to the will, was proven by John Cocke and recorded 5th March 1829.

Presumably the other children in the Johannes Wedel family were in agreement with the terms of the will as no record of legal action was apparently taken to gain a share of the estate. The other children were in effect pretermitted heirs who in modern times might have sued for their share of the estate. The will may reflect the German practice of the oldest or youngest child inheriting the estate with a provision for the care and welfare of the parents.

A Jacob Woods first appears in the tax lists in 1827 and is next to Johannes, Peter, and George with no land. He may have been listed in this 1827 tax list because he had just passed age 21. Cemetery records for Owen Co., Indiana (http://www.rootsweb.com/~inowen2/riversidO.htm) show he was born 8 Feb 1805 and census records indicate he was born in Tennessee.

In 1828 Jacob is shown in the tax list to have 119 acres, the acreage Johannes had in 1827. Jacob is listed next to Peter and George Waddle who each still have the 50-acre parcels conveyed to them by their father. This suggests Jacob was now considered the owner of Johannes' 119-acre parcel of land. A deed record has not been found showing that Johannes' 119-acre parcel was transferred to Jacob Woods. Tennessee law permitted land to pass by inheritance without a deed.

On 20 Jan 1829 Peter Waddle sold the 49-acre parcel of land he purchased from his father to Jacob Woods (Grainger Co., Deed Book F, p. 1). By a deed dated 28 August 1834 Jacob sold his combined 169-acre parcel to Ethelred Williams (Grainger Co., Deed Book G, p. 31). Mention is made in this deed of 50 acres that had been conveyed to George Waddle by John Waddle. The deed for the sale of the original 219-acre parcel from Fare Owen to John Waddle (Johannes Wedel), dated 10 Sep 1819, was not registered until 31 Oct 1834 (Grainger Co., Deed Book G, p. 31), possibly by Jacob Woods at the time he left Grainger Co.

On 17 Nov 1829 Jacob married Matilda Harris in Grainger County (Billie Wyrick Kennerly, Tennessee: Grainger County Marriage Bonds and Licenses 1796-1837, 1964, p. 164). A daughter Mary Jane was born Feb 1930. Census, cemetery and other records show Jacob moved with his family to Monroe County, Indiana. Matilda died 10 Sep 1886 and Jacob died 22 Apr 1888. They are buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Owen County, Indiana near where they lived in Bean Blossom Township, Monroe County.

The name Woods is evident in association with the Wedel family elsewhere in the records. A Richard M. Woods recruited George Waddle in Sullivan Co. into the Army in 1813 (see the section on George Waddle). Somehow George knew in 1840 that he could get a statement from Richard in Green Co., Tennessee about his service and apparently traveled from Pulaski Co., Kentucky to Greene Co. for that purpose. An Eliza Ann Woods married George Waddle's son George V. in Pulaski Co. Kentucky on 6 Oct 1835 in Pulaski Co., Kentucky (Marriage list [of Bonds], Pulaski Co. Clerk, p. 192).

It is unclear from the above records when Maria Magdalena, wife of Johannes Wedel died. In as much as Jacob Woods was required in the will of Johannes to care for the farm and the welfare of Magdalena during her lifetime it appears she had died before Jacob sold the farm in Aug 1834. It is possible she died as early as Mar 1829 when the will was recorded. The fact that her son George, as indicated below, moved to Pulaski Co., Kentucky after the 1830 federal census was taken may suggest she died in 1830 or before. Possibly she died before Peter sold his land to Jacob Woods on 20 Jan 1829.

Though advanced in age, Johannes may have been a healthy, active, and respected member of his Grainger Co. community as late as 1826. On 21 Feb 1826 a John Waddle was among the "gentlemen good and lawful men of Grainger Co. the sheriff was ordered to summon to be and appear at the Court House in Rutledge on the Tuesday after the third Monday of May to serve as a jurors" (Judy Wright, "Grainger County Tennessee Court Minutes Volumes 1, 3,6, and 7 various pages", Tennessee Genweb Project Archives). Johannes is the only John Waddle listed in the tax records in 1826. If this record does refer to Johannes he may have been as old as 91 and seemingly would have spoken and understood English well.

Sons Peter and George are not listed in the tax records for Grainger Co. after 1829; however, Jacob Woods continues to be listed through 1834 when the original deed for Johannes's 219-acre parcel was registered. Records from Pulaski County, Kentucky seem to indicate Peter had moved there by 1829. A 50-acre tract was surveyed for him there on the Cumberland River on 16 Oct 1829 (Willard Rouse Jillson, The Kentucky Land Grants, Part 1, 1971, p.760). Peter continued to live in Pulaski County for the rest of this life.

Even though George Waddle is not listed in the 1829 tax records for Grainger Co. he is listed in the 1830 Federal census under the name George Waddel with his wife, and 3 males and 6 females, probably all of his unmarried children. While in Grainger Co. George's daughter Polly married Wilson C. Dunavant (Denerant) 17 Nov 1823 and daughter Salley Waddell married Henry Grubb on 10 Sep 1825 (Billie Wyrick Kennerly, Tennessee: Grainger County Marriage Bonds and Licenses 1796-1837, 1964, pp. 42, 62).

By 1831, George is listed in Pulaski Co., Kentucky tax records showing he had moved there with his family, joining his brothers Peter and Henry and their families. He continued to live in Pulaski Co. until 1844 when he moved to Macon County, Missouri, with his wife and other members of his family (Calista Dunham, personal communication, 16 Mar 1999).

Following is an exact retyped copy of Johannes Wedel's presumed will under the name John Waddle taken from Grainger County, Tennessee, Loose Wills , WPA Records (1938)(Mountain Press), pp 90, 91, (reference generously provided by Bobbi Everett, personal communication 27 Nov 2002):

90

Will of John Waddle

In the Name of God Amen.I John Waddle of the County of Grainger and State of Tennessee considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of Sound and Disposing Mind and Memory blessed by Almighty God for the Same do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following,(that is to say) It is my will and desire and I herebygive and devise to my Son Jacob Woods and his heirs foreverall my estate both real and personal on the following ex-press terms and conditions, (to wit) that the said JacobWoods Shall continue to live with us during our jointlives and the life of the Survivor of us that he shallCultivate my farm take care of my Stock, and that thesaid Jacob Woods Shall out of the proceeds of my farm and Stock take care of Maintain and Support Myself and myWife Magdalene during our joint lives and the life of theSurvivor of us in a comfortable manner agreeable to ourState & Condition in life and according to our presentmanner of living. It is my will and desire and I hereby order and direct the Said Jacob Woods to pay the burying expenses of Myself and wife hereby revoking annulling and declaring void all other & former Wills by me made In Witness where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this eight day of June in the year of our Lord one thou-sand eight hundred and twenty five.his John X Waddle (Seal)mark

91Next page:Signed sealed published anddeclared by the above named JohnWaddle to be his last Will andTestament in the presence of us,who have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presence of testator

Rice Moore p.John F. Jack fees paid in part Feby Term 1828

Hand writing of John F. Jack proven by John Cocke Recorded 5th March 1829.

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